Doctors on alert for virus after CQ patient's 'suspicious rash'

UPDATE 2.30PM: A "SUSPICIOUS rash" left Mandalay Medical Staff concerned a potential measles carrier had exposed their patients to the deadly virus.

Practice manager Samantha Olsson confirmed a doctor had noticed what they believed could be the measles when the man presented about 8.30am Easter morning, in the wake of a confirmed carrier's visit to the Stockland shopping centre.

A mother yesterday informed The Morning Bulletin the man had been "coughing and spluttering" near her and her son for about an hour, before she was told of the potential threat.

Ms Olsson said due to the man's "complicated medical history", he was referred to the Rockhampton Base Hospital, as is the protocol on a public holiday.

"They carried out further investigations and have reported back to our doctors that it's highly unlikely they have contracted or are carrying measles," Ms Olsson said.

Ms Olsson confirmed the woman and her son were consulted in another room over the potential risk, and that "further precautions" would be taken for patient and public safety.

"The lady and her son were consulted in another room, rather than the one the patient had been consulted in," she said.

"The (Rockhampton) Base Hospital have informed us it was found to be highly unlikely that the patient had contracted or were carrying measles.

"We were taking all precautions due to the measles scare on the Monday to make sure everything was clear here."

Ms Olsson said given a confirmed carrier visited the Stockland shopping centre on April 10, they were prepared to have "any intake of patients who may be presenting with symptoms".

Ms Olsson said the centre were "not aware" of any public health risk as a result of the man's visit to the practice.

As the measles virus can take one week to 17 days before symptoms show, Ms Olsson urged those who need medical assistance to contact the practice and book an appointment with the doctor.

"We have had quite a few concerned patients and members of public who had been to stock at that time reported and they had been phoning through to check immunisation history, finding most people have been immunised," she said.

Queensland Health this morning confirmed they were not aware of any further confirmed measles cases.

INITIAL REPORT: A MOTHER claims she and her son were exposed to the measles virus at a Rockhampton doctors on Easter morning.

Kathy Duck warned members of the public after she claimed she sat near an infected person at the Mandalay Medical Centre at 8.30am on April 16.

"I was asked about my son being immunised (yes fully) I was asked about myself (I'm not sure).

"My work colleague was at the medical centre also I informed her of what doctor had told me."

The Morning Bulletin is waiting for Mandalay Medical Centre and Queensland Health to confirm the case.

The Morning Bulletin last week reported a person infected with the measles travelled interstate from Sydney to Rockhampton via Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast from April 8 to 10, before they presented at the Rockhampton Hospital on April 11.

The Central Queensland Public Health Unit (CQPHU) yesterday said they were not aware of any further confirmed cases, but warned symptoms can appear anywhere from seven to 18 days after contact with a case.

QPHU director doctor Kerryn Coleman has two clear messages for Rockhampton residents, and anyone who was in the other known locations in Sydney and the Sunshine Coast.

"Firstly, to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles, know that they can appear any time between seven to 18 days after contact with a case," Dr Coleman said.

"If you do get sick with a few and/or early signs of measles please see your GP and call ahead first to inform them so processes are put in place to protect other patients and staff at the clinic.

"Those who are born in or since 1966 and have not had 2 documented doses of MMR vaccine, or had proven measles, are potentially at risk of developing measles after contact."

Secondly, she urged people take this opportunity to check their immunisation status with their GP, and get any missing vaccines, including a second measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine if you only have had one.